Taking a cue from a recent government directive to profit-making PSUs to spend five per cent of their profits on corporate social responsibility initiatives, the HRD ministry asked them to help out in its recast literacy campaign, Saakshar Bharat.

Corporates such as SAIL, GAIL, ONGC and banks such as the State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank are expected to chip in. Sibal will meet the heads of these PSUs on Wednesday.

"This will be the first time that banks and corporates will take part in such an endeavour. What we are looking for is not restricted to just investment, but contribution to the literacy mission in whatever way possible," an officer from the literacy division said.